Partisan division hurts us more

Published 12:00 am, Friday, August 19, 2011

Now that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has appointed the final three members to the 12-member super committee on the deficit, "it's deja vu all over again." The recent episodes of members of Congress behaving badly have only underscored how bipartisanship is not working. Gone are the days of reasoned deal makers from either side of the aisle, or a coming together of Congress for the betterment of our country.

With public opinion about elected officials sinking to all-time lows, the Obama administration might have instead proposed a non-partisan pool of civilian economists (and don't name them czars) to solve our nation's fiscal crisis. Undeniably, there is an ample supply of financial expertise in the business and academic spheres brimming with sound ideas and ready to help if asked.

Moreover, rather than a committee of 12, why not a panel of nine similar to the Supreme Court where a majority rule is a clear outcome?

If government is indeed broken, it's past time to look elsewhere for prudent solutions. Partisan division, gamesmanship and stalemates are just driving us further into the financial ditch, leaving a major job undone.